The effect of molecular biology on vaccine development

Authors: Robinson AJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 34, Issue 4, pp 41-42, Apr 1986
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: General
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Immune system/immunology, Legal/regulation, Molecular biology/medicine, Vaccination
Article class: General Article

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Abstract: We are witnessing the beginnings of a revolution in the way in which vaccines are made a revolution that has been stimulated by new molecular biology technology. Knowledge of the structure and function of immunising molecules is accumulating exponentially with the refinement of genetic manipulation techniques. Working in parallel are the immunologists who are beginning to understand the immune response in molecular detail. It appears inevitable that cheap synthetic molecularly defined preparations will supercede current whole-organism vaccines. This somewhat polemic view is not shared by all those interested in vaccine manufacture of course and usually the high cost and disappointing results of preliminary work adds weight to the sceptic`s arguments. There is also a natural human tendency to resist a change from the established order. Certainly for currently available conventional vaccines that are effective, arguments for change will have to be very compelling. The pattern will be set, however, with those diseases where effective vaccines are not currently available or their production costs are high. The experience and technology gained in the development of synthetic vaccines for this group of diseases will inevitably flow on to existing conventional vaccines. These changes will occur slowly…

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